Nintendo is planning to release a number of USB devices for Wii, according to a job vacancy posted on its website.
The advertisement calls for a software/hardware tester that will work out of the company's Redmond offices in Washington State.
Among the successful applicants duties will be: "creating and executing a test plan for Wii's USB devices."
Our first thoughts were a USB hard drive, but Nintendo has repeatedly denied claims it was even considering one. Earlier today, we reported that Nintendo of Europe's managing director had dismissed the hard drive space as an issue only "geeks" were interested in.
So what could they possibly be testing? Let the speculation commence below.
It's bound to be more innovations to appeal to the casual/fitness market. Bike peripheral perhaps, to go alongside the balance board? All I know is, I doubt I'll be interested.
they've got Wii Fit for the fatties, there was a story about them being after smokers last week so alcoholics are the next logical step. Perhaps it could be combined with the balance board for the old "walking in straight line" test.
The only things that I can see that would need a wired connection for the Wii would be:
External Storage Mic Ethernet adapter (but would throttle speed) Modem of some sort Wiimote charger Pigeon reviver
There's already an offical USB ethernet adapter, and seeing as LAN (100mps) is faster than the 54mps wifi that the wii has installed, i can't see it throttling the speed!
If its not external storage, then its another casual market aimed device.
I was excited when the wii was first announced, now it sits under my telly while i play my 360. The last game i purchased was mario galaxy. I keep playing wii sport, its the only regular game i play on it, plus i may purchase wii fit as i had a go on a mates at the weekend.
Its loosing its shine for me, and Nintendos 'Geek' attitude is starting to burn me more that the sony 'Its the ps3, so people will buy it no matter what' attitude, maybe i'll trade it for a ps3 and tell ninty to shove the casual market up their ass!
I'm with you freaky_seb. My Wii rarely gets switched on these days. It's not been on since a couple of weeks after Mario Kart came out, it'll go on for Brawl in a couple of weeks time. I switch it on to find out why it's glowing at me. Other than that it's a paperweight.
I'm thinking a camera or a gaming microphone could be on the cards.
A camera because it seems to go along with the "social" thing that the Wii has, with the same shortsightedness that'll find obscene pics sent to users before Ninty realises that's possible.
A gaming mic is about the most useful thing I can think of, but since the Nintendo network isn't designed for voice comms, I think that could cause a lot of issues.
I'm praying to Mario that it's for a hard drive, but the recent comment by NoE makes me sceptical.
Our first thoughts were a USB hard drive, but Nintendo has repeatedly denied claims it was even considering one. Earlier today, we reported that Nintendo of Europe's managing director had dismissed the hard drive space as an issue only "geeks" were interested in.
Yeah, 'cos the Nintendo of Europe suits are always so in touch with the bods at Nintendo of Japan, and the business guys in Japan always care so much about their European colleagues' personal opinions. /Sarcasm
Yeah, didn't the head of Nintendo UK say there was no plans to release a new ds? and then what happened. If anything Nintendo of Europe saying it isn't a hard drive means it is
I think there is a good chance that this will be a hardrive, as although everyone is going mental about what the bloke from nintendo of Europe said, Nintendo themselves did actually say they were looking into 'solutions' to do with the lack of storage just a couple of weeks ago. Testing a mystery USB device does seem like one of their 'solutions'.
Other than that I think there is also a decent chance that it will be a headset for voice chat. there are a lot of rumours that the conduit is being developed with voice chat, so its certainley a possibility.
I hear that Nintendo is releasing a new peripheral - It's a Dual-USB dongle that simply closes both USB ports. Then they're releasing a firmware update that no longer enables the USB ports.
The testing will be to validate the disabled USB functionality and to make sure that the USB "plugaroo" doesn't fry any of the hardware.
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